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Minutes of Regular Meeting
VANDERBURGH COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
(SWCD) Office, Evansville, Indiana
7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Present:                                                                                                         SWCD Personnel:
Dave Ellison, Chairman                                                                                    Norma Duckworth
Les Nunn, Vice Chairman (Absent)                                                                  Bonnie Bittner
Wayne Fehd, Member
Holly McCutchan, Member                                                                             NRCS Personnel:
Lauren Preske, Member (Absent)                                                                    Darrell Rice
Fred Padget, Associate
                                                                                                                       ISDA Personnel:
                                                                                                                      
Ken Eck

GUESTS: Jane Rexing, Master Gardner, Susan Webb, Master Gardner, Davie Sue Litov, Master Gardner, Smart Growth participant, interested person and Bob Dodd, Refuge Operations Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

After introductions were made by guests, staff and supervisors Darrell conducted an Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Ranking session. He explained the process while handing out maps a ranking sheet and explanation of the program. He also passed a sheet showing how the categories were ranked last year. After several discussions it was decided to keep the ranking from last year, change Locust Creek to Pigeon Highland Watershed, and remove air quality move each one up and put the Pigeon Highland Watershed at the end.

Dave asked Jane Rexing to give her proposal on the Rain Garden at the State Hospital to the board. Jane had a visual showing the entire Master Garden Project at the State Hospital. She stated the purpose of the rain garden is to educate the public on its benefits. They will give demonstrations on how to lay out a Rain Garden, the beauty and benefits of native plants and the benefits of a rain garden to home owners to catch rain coming off their roofs rather than let it drain into the storm sewers. She requested $2,320 to complete the project and the Master Gardner’s will put up a sign with the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District as the sponsor.

            Holly McCutchan made a motion to sponsor the Rain Garden Project for
            $2,320 seconded by Wayne Fehd and carried.

Bob Dodd, Refuge Operations Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service told the Master Gardner they have money for Wetland Projects. Jane said they would like to meet with him and he gave her his card.

The minutes of the October meeting were mailed to each member prior to the meeting.

A motion was made by Holly McCutchan to approve the minutes of the October,
2006 meeting, seconded by Wayne Fehd, and carried.

The minutes were passed for board members signature.

Dave Ellison asked Bonnie to give the October financial report, which showed the previous balance 10-1-06 $41,757.78, Receipts, $120,45, Debits $2,252.15 and balance as of 10-31-06 $39,626.08.

            A motion was made by Wayne Fehd, seconded by Holly McCutchan, and carried,
            to approve the treasurer’s report as presented.

The following claims for October were submitted for supervisor approval:
W4262 {Purdue University-Accounts Receivable (Speaker Fee/Tillage Mtg.)                     $   500.00
W4273 Smith & Butterfield (Copy Paper)                                                                          $   168.00
W4255 Indiana Department of Revenue (Sales Tax/July, Aug. Sept.)                                  $     46.63
W4224 Oaks Printing, Inc. (October Newsletter)                                                               $1,309.76
W4256 Post Office (Bulk Mailing Fee)                                                                               $   182.50
W4275 Cingular Wireless (Cell Phone)                                                                               $     18.01
W4276 National Association of Conservation Districts (Website Hosting)                            $   165.00
W4259 I.D.E.A. (Boot Camp Registration/Bonne)                                                              $       5.00
W4277 Bonnie Bittner (Mileage/I.D.E.A. Conference)                                                        $   109.20
W4277 Bonnie Bittner (I.D.E.A. Conference/Hotel)                                                            $   193.20
W4260 Chemetrics, Inc. (2 Six Pack Cups)                                                                        $     27.60
W4268 David Ellison (Tillage Dinner)                                                                                  $   240.00
W4269 Great Mid-Western Publishing Co., Inc. (Plat Books Sold)                                     $   375.00
W4270 Purdue University (Registration Fee/Norma RLDI)                                                 $     25.00
Claims Submitted To County:
Bonnie Bittner (Mileage/Schmitt Photo)                                                                               $      7.05

Holly McCutchan, Finance Chairperson, reviewed the claims stating everything was in order.

            Holly McCutchan made a motion to approve the claims, seconded by Wayne Fehd,
            and carried.

Holly passed the claim register for board member signature.

OLD BUSINESS:
Natural Resource Committee – David Ellison, Chairperson
Norma reported a letter has gone out to all landowners in the Locust Creek Watershed inviting them to a public meeting on December 5, 2006, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ivy Tech Room 169 and on December 6, 2006, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Ivy Tech Room 169. Doug Nussbaum cannot give his presentation due to a family sickness, but Gregory Biberdorf will come in his place. Greg will do a power point explaining the possibilities with this grant to those attending

BUSINESS PLAN:
ACTIONS FOR 2006
Continue developer’s workshop to highlight urban con
Educate public on maintenance of septic related issues by SWCD & Partners with newsletter, flyers, fair booth (Ongoing)
Locate and promote programs that provide incentives to adopt conservation practices (Newsletter/ongoing
Develop a video for youth on impact of farmland conversion by July 2006 (Susan Fowler & Lauren Preske)
Partner with City/County parks department to preserve/create parks & related areas (Ongoing)
Develop information resource on farmland conversion for public officials & general public (Ongoing)
Develop "Farm Day" to promote conservation & related practices by December 2006 (Norma & Committee)
Develop related workshops to promote available programs for natural area preservation by February 2006
Explore role of SWCD by SWCD & Committee (Ongoing)

Preservation/Creation Natural Areas Committee – Lauren Preske, Chairperson
No Business This Month

Farmland Preservation – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson
Fred Padget reported Ken Eck facilitated the meeting and they came up with a mission statement they hope reflects we are not against development but hop to accomplish growth in a smart way. The next meeting will be November 30, 2006 in the 2nd floor room in Central Library from 11:30 a.m. to l:00 p.m. Ken Eck will facilitate again to accomplish the groups goals. After the goals are formed members think they need to meet with the home builders. Dennis Avery has collected Smart Growth ordinances from states around us and Lauren Preske is working with him.

The Farmland Preservation Video was tabled due to Les and Lauren’s absence.

Brown Field and Urban Land Use Committee – Les Nunn, Chairperson
Norma reported Bonnie is working on a database to send a letter asking people to attend a Pigeon Highland Steering Committee meeting on January 25, 2007.

Dave asked members to refer to copies in their packet of the minutes from the Four Rivers RC&D Forestry Committee meeting Tom Niksch and Bonnie attended at Sugar Ridge on November 8, 2006. Bonnie faxed the minutes to Commissioner Musgrave because she asked someone to attend and report back to her. She called saying she appreciated the report; the county may be getting 52 forested acres and may need some help with it. Bonnie told Commissioner Musgrave the district would be glad to help and is in a position to give them any help they might need.

Darrell reported he visited the Par 3 Golf Course. They have let it grow up in grass and want to make it suitable for wildlife. He will continue working with them.

The educators from the four counties are still working with the Garbage Barge on a suitable date for the education and clean up along the river.

Legislative Committee – John Hahn, Chairperson
Bonnie reported Maurice Berendes is running unopposed at this time for the elected position on the Vanderburgh County SWCD board.

Finance Committee – Holly McCutchan, Chairperson
Bonnie reported no one inquired about the cameras from the notice she had on the front window. Wesselman’s Nature Society is interested in the camera for Howell Wetland and is willing to pay the $35.00 assessed for it by Schmitt Photo.

District Operation Committee – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson
Ken Eck asked Bonnie to schedule supervisors, associates and staff for the district visits program on December 14, 2006.

Bonnie asked Holly McCutchan to sign the Legal Notice for Annual Meeting.

Bonnie passed registration forms for Annual Conference to supervisors and staff who will be attending. She also passed the hotel information asking them to make their own hotel reservations.

NEW BUSINESS:
Soil and Water Resource Committee – Dave Ellison & Todd Thomas, Chairperson
No Business This Month

Preservation/Creation Natural Areas Committee – Lauren Preske, Chairperson
Board asked Bonnie to contact Maurice Berendes to see where the proposal for the erosion control project stood at Mater Dei High School.

Farmland Preservation – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson
No Business This Month

Brown Field and Urban Land Use CommitteeLes Nunn, Chairperson
Bonnie passed the Southwest Indiana Brine Coalition Work Report from 1997 to 2006 for members to review.

Legislative Committee – John Hahn, Chairperson
Bonnie reported she will be sending invitations to each of our legislators for the Legislative Breakfast at Annual Conference in Indianapolis January 18, 2007.

Dave asked members to refer to copies in their packets of the minutes from the Annual Conference business meeting in 2006.

Finance Committee – Holly McCutchan, Chairperson
Holly gave the petty cash report and asked members to initial the report.

Holly asked for a motion to replenish petty cash for $27.11

            Wayne Fehd made a motion to replenish petty cash for $27.11,
             seconded by Holly McCutchan and carried.

Holly asked for a motion to pay Norma’s CPESC dues renewal.

            Wayne Fehd made a motion for pay Norma’s $75.00 CPESC
            renewal dues seconded by Holly McCutchan and carried.

Holly asked for a motion to pay Westside Improvement Association (WIA) Dues.

            Wayne Fehd made a motion to pay the WIA $25.00 dues
            seconded by Holly McCutchan and carried.

Holly asked for a motion to pay the National Association of Conservation District (NACD) dues for $1,000.00.

            Wayne Fehd made a motion to pay the NACD Dues for $1,000.00
            seconded by Holly McCutchan and carried.

Holly reported the Certificate of Deposit at Old National is due. Bonnie called three banks that are on the list to get their rates; First Federal – 4.45%, 5/3 – 3.92% and Old National – 4.25%. After some discussion

            Wayne Fehd made a motion to put the Certificate of Deposit at Old National,
             seconded by Holly McCutchan and carried.

District Operation Committee – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson
Dave asked member to refer to copies in their packets of the IASWCD officer candidates. After some discussion supervisors asked if they could decide this next month after giving it some consideration.

Norma passed her report for members and added:
         She attended Bernardin Lockmueller’s Workshop on a Wetland Cell for their sewage system in Fulda, IN
         She then traveled to Indy for the Leadership reunion for graduates of the Leadership Workshop. She said as usual it was very good. Beverly Gard       
         attended the meeting.
         Norma gave a presentation to the Westside Garden Club on Rain Gardens

Darrell reported invoices for the district rent will come in January. Farm Service Agency county committees from Posey and Vanderburgh County met to decide where they think the office should be if/when they consolidate.

County Employee time sheets were passed for review and signature.

The December meeting was set for December 19, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Vanderburgh County SWCD conference room. Bonnie will send a notice to the media.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. with a motion from Wayne Fehd,
seconded by Holly McCutchan and carried.

                                                                                                                        Respectfully Submitted
                                                                                                                        Bonnie Bittner
                                                                                                                        Executive Assistant

Minutes approved on December 19, 2006

Dave Ellison_________________________________

Les Nunn ___________________________________

Wayne Fehd __________________________________

Holly McCutchan________________________________

Lauren Preske __________________________________

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